Match Preview: Solihull Moors (A)

Blackpool will look to avoid an upset in front of the BBC TV cameras tonight, as The Seasiders face Solihull Moors in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup.

A bit of Friday night football sees the two sides meet competitively for the first time, with a place in Monday's third round draw at stake.

The Opposition:

Formed in 2007 after a merger between Solihull Borough and Moor Green, Solihull Moors currently sit sixth in the Vanarama National League and are unbeaten in their last six matches.

Managed by former Blackburn Rovers and England goalkeeper Tim Flowers, The Moors reached round two of the FA Cup by beating Hitchin Town 2-0 away from home.

Familiar Faces:

James Quinn, who made more than 150 appearances for Blackpool in a five-year spell, will be in the opposition dugout. The 43-year-old, an ex-team-mate of Pool assistant manager Gary Brabin, is Solihull Moors' first-team coach.

On the playing side, former loan player Kwame Thomas, who temporarily joined Blackpool from Derby County in 2015, is expected to be part of the squad that faces The Seasiders.

Current Blackpool defender Michael Nottingham returns to Damson Park after a successful three-year stint with The Moors.

Team News:

Blackpool will make late fitness checks on Callum Guy and Ollie Turton, who missed out in midweek due to tight hamstrings. Marc Bola is available again and could return to the starting line-up, while Joe Dodoo is also pushing for a recall to the XI.

The hosts postponed their National League game at Gateshead on Tuesday night, which has provided extra preparation time for this fixture. Nine-goal striker Adi Yussuf is expected to lead the line.

The Manager's View:

How To Watch The Game:

For those unable to attend, tonight's Emirates FA Cup tie will be shown live on BBC Two. Build-up starts from 7.30pm, with the match getting underway at 7.55pm.

Report: Solihull Moors 0 Blackpool 0

A stalemate at Solihull Moors left Blackpool having to settle for a replay in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup.

On a testing night, it was the National League hosts who took the game to The Seasiders and provided a few scares.

Meanwhile, Blackpool’s best opportunities fell to Joe Dodoo and Harry Pritchard, who were both denied by ‘keeper Ryan Boot.

Manager Terry McPhillips made four changes for the tie, with former Solihull man Michael Nottingham joining Marc Bola, Chris Taylor and Joe Dodoo in the XI.

Given the occasion, it was the hosts who started the brighter, forcing Mark Howard to make two routine saves. The first was from a 20-yard Jamey Osborne strike and the other a header from Luke Maxwell.

Solihull’s Danny Wright then had the opportunity to try and find the target with a volley, however he blasted the ball wide of the far post.

The returning Michael Nottingham was left unmarked for Blackpool at the other end, but he was unable to keep his header from rising over the bar.

Joe Dodoo was the next to register an attempt for The Seasiders, sending a low drive just wide of the near post.

The National League side had the ball in the Blackpool net on 27 minutes, though any celebrations were cut short as the referee had blown his whistle for offside in the build-up.

A mix up between defender and goalkeeper for Solihull then presented Armand Gnanduillet with a good chance to try and give Blackpool the lead. Unfortunately, the Frenchman blazed over.

Danny Wright then sent another Solihull header straight at Mark Howard, as the sides went in level at the break.

Half-Time: Solihull Moors 0 Blackpool 0

Armand Gnanduillet had a great opportunity to put Blackpool ahead just four minutes after the restart, only to shoot straight at the ‘keeper from close range.

The goalkeeper was tested soon after though, and it was to deny Joe Dodoo. The on-loan Rangers man cut inside his man and forced the stopper to parry his low drive away from the bottom corner.

Two minutes after picking up a yellow card for halting a counter-attack, Chris Taylor was withdrawn and replaced by Harry Pritchard for Blackpool.

The Seasiders were seeing more of the ball in the second-half and looking slightly more composed in possession, but that clinical edge was still missing.

In the meantime, Solihull’s top scorer Adi Yussuf saw the Blackpool defence open up and attempted to find the back of the net. A vital block from Curtis Tilt sent his effort wide, though.

Substitute Harry Pritchard then had Blackpool’s best chance to take the lead after bursting into the box, only to be denied by the ‘keeper.

Having been unable to convert a cross from Marc Bola, Joe Dodoo’s night came to an end in the 83rd minute when Liam Feeney was introduced off the bench.

It was the hosts who continued to threaten though, with Blackpool needing Donervon Daniels to pull off a sliding block tackle to prevent Jamey Osborne from giving them the lead.

Despite three minutes of added time, neither side could find the breakthrough, meaning a replay will be required at Bloomfield Road.